Tundra is described as an area where levels of subsoil beneath the surface of the earth are permanently frozen. This soil is referred to as permafrost. The level of earth above the permafrost will thaw in the short summer allowing plants to grow. This level will then freeze again in the winter and most of the plants will go dormant. The permafrost makes it difficult or impossible for trees to root down into the ground, so one of the characteristics of tundra is that it is often treeless and the land appears barren. Another characteristic of tundra is that it, like deserts, receives little precipitation. Tundra will also reach extremely frigid temperatures, especially in the winter when it receives little to no sunlight. Tundra has two variations, Arctic Tundra and Alpine Tundra. Arctic Tundra can be found near or north of the Arctic circle around the north pole. Alpine Tundra can be found at various latitudes on earth but is located at high altitudes on mountains where trees do not grow.

Alpine tundra occurs throughout much of the world at high altitudes, generally beginning between 10,000 and 11,000 feet. Alpine tundra has similar conditions to arctic tundra including plant types and treeless terrain. Plant types of the alpine tundra include small shrubs and lichens.